Tampa and Charleston Airports Embrace TSA Privatization Effort

WHO:

CBS News - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is involved in the new program.

CBS News - The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) represents 47,000 transportation security officers across 400 U.S. airports.

Newser - Everett Kelley is the national president of AFGE.

WHAT:

CBS News - Tampa, Charleston, and Des Moines airports have signed on to the TSA Gold+ program to privatize airport security.

CBS News - TSA Gold+ allows private contractors to conduct security screening under federal oversight.

CBS News - The Gold+ program is an expansion of the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which has been in operation since 2004 at 20 airports.

CBS News - The projected launch period for Gold+ is January 2027 for Des Moines, February 2027 for Charleston, and May 2027 for Tampa.

Newser - The transition to private screeners is intended to insulate airports from future government shutdowns and to speed up access to newer security equipment.

WHERE:

CBS News - The airports involved are Tampa International Airport, Charleston International Airport, and Des Moines International Airport.

WHEN:

CBS News - The projected launch dates for the Gold+ program are January 2027 for Des Moines, February 2027 for Charleston, and May 2027 for Tampa.

WHY:

Newser - Airport officials claim the privatization move is meant to protect them from future government shutdowns that have previously left officers unpaid and caused long lines.

CBS News - AFGE argues that the Gold+ program could jeopardize public safety by removing TSA workers from the screening process.

HOW:

CBS News - TSA will maintain oversight of security standards and operations while using private contractors for screening.

CBS News - The Gold+ program will introduce new screening technology to expedite screening and enhance security.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 22:23 UTC)

The Transportation Security Administration is launching the TSA Gold+ program, which will allow private contractors to conduct security screening at Tampa International, Charleston International, and Des Moines International airports, all under federal oversight. The projected launch dates for this initiative are January 2027 for Des Moines, February 2027 for Charleston, and May 2027 for Tampa, with the goal of protecting airports from future government shutdowns and speeding up access to newer security technology. However, the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents thousands of transportation security officers, warns that this privatization could jeopardize public safety by removing TSA workers from the screening process.